Inspirations

  Yesterday, my children and I went walking on a bike trail.    The weather was perfect.   Sunny, warm but not hot.   As we were walking, we started to talk about creation.   Creation itself always amazes me.     Can you imagine watching creation unfold at the word of the Almighty?   It would be   the most glorious and lovely thing to see.      As we were talking, I asked,  “What do you think would have happed if  God had created people first?”     They stopped  gave me a questioning look then my daughter said, “I suppose that we would have starved because there was no food.”     And we all had a laugh creating  other scenarios for what might  have happened if creation had happened in any other way.      Yet, the   fact is that creation itself demonstrates that God is a God of order.   Each day of creation built on   what ...

  Peace  I leave with you; my  peace  I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.                 Christmas is a time of love and joy and peace and hope.   Yet often this is when these things are most elusive.  Peace is hard to find the bills are mounting and we are expected to buy presents. Peace hides when the holidays came and people are missing they've gone on to their final home leaving an empty spot. Peace is slippery when it is Christmas and relationships are strained and there is baggage. We can look at everyone's expectations  and our own and as we try to please people and create the perfect Christmas or capture the illusions of Christmas past and somewhere along the way, we lose our peace and buy into everything that the world says about Christmas. We forget that Jesus came to give us peace. Jesus is our peace, all y...

Let the  peace  of Christ rule in your hearts. Colossians 3:15 When we think of peace, the first thing that comes to mind is the absence of strife. It's hard to find peace in our world today. We talk of peace; nations want it; Everyone wants it. Most of us are looking for something that will bring just a little peace. There are so many things in our day that can cause us stress and worry. Our health, or finances. Relationships at work; with parents, with spouses with siblings. they all can rob us of our peace. This is true, particularly at Christmas. Just when we should be celebrating The Prince of Peace we find our own peace gone.  As we travel back to that very first Christmas, we see a scene that could very easily steal peace. First,  an angel appears to Mary, and informs her that she will have a baby. The problem is that she was not married. Yikes!! This was scandalous! However, Mary finds peace and says. "Ok,...

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, Genesis 3:8               On days when I am faced with things beyond my control.  When my troubles seem to overwhelm me,  one of the most calming things that I can do is head outside and go for a long walk.   As I walk,  I find my muddled mind cleared  and I can clearly see the mind of God.   My worries disappear as I set my focus on God and my peace is restored.   As I commune with God,  my spirit and soul are renewed so that I can face my problems with new energy.   Thank you, God, for those long walks when the air is warm,  and I can enjoy nature.   These times are a blessing.   Other times, my walks are more fun than anything else.   My mind and heart is already calm, so I revel in the creation of God. ...

 In the Storm In the storm when the waves are crashing in...        you are still God and you know what's best In the storm when all is dark and the sun hides...      e ven then you are still in control. In the storm when the thunder roars...     I hear your still small voice and I listen to you In the storm when when cold winds howl...     you tell me to have no fear and I trust you In the storm when everything around me is shifting...     I am anchored to you and I am safe. Even in the storm when I am torn and broken ...     you remind me that I am loved by you. In the middle of the storm when my soul is shattered...     you do the unexpected and come to me and I am comforted

The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, “What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?” …    Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm.   Jonah 1:11, 15. This narrative of Jonah is compelling.  There are many parallels to the life of Christ.  But that is not what I was thinking about as I was reminded of this narrative today.  Jonah sinned and ran from the task God gave him to do.    He was instructed by God to go to Nineveh but, instead,  he headed in the opposite direction.    To get Jonah’s attention, God creates a storm, and it is a doozy.  It got everyone’s attention except Jonah’s.   He was sleeping.    Jonah’s disobedience stole everyone’s peace.  We all know people who are being disobedient to God.  Often their rebellion takes our joy.  We’ve all been there, at one...